Thursday, November 6, 2025

Swamp in a pot? Well, there's a first time for everything

The other day I was in the store reaching for a can of breadcrumbs, and a woman (black if you want to get specific, she had the tallest hair I'd ever seen) was standing directly behind me, talking on her phone.  She said "They got your sausage on sale, I'll make swamp potatoes."

After she walked away, I turned around and saw the sausage she was talking about--Eckrich Smoked Cheddar.  Can't say I ever bought this, and I had NO idea what 'swamp potatoes' were.  But it was only $2.99, so I tossed a pack into my cart.  When I got home, I looked up swamp potatoes and saw a hundred versions of this recipe that included extras like oil, butter, salt, garlic, Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, chopped onions, onion soup mix.  

But they all boiled down to the same few ingredients in a crockpot:  green beans, onion, Yukon gold potatoes, smoked sausage.  I had the veggies, garlic powder & Cajun seasoning in my cupboard, and a mini-crockpot.  So why not give it a go.

I dumped the chopped onion in first, followed by one can of green beans (and didn't drain them--I figured that would be my water/broth).  Added 3 pats of butter.  Chopped 10 little yellow potatoes in half, tossed them in, sprinkled garlic powder over them and a couple shakes of that Old Bay.

Finally, I sliced ONE of those sausage links in 1/2" inch slices, put them on top.  Wonder how it will all turn out?

Well, it seems I did everything right.  I didn't add extra liquid (aside from the green beans) and it didn't need any, the pot made plenty.  No oil or soup mix either, just a few pats of butter and I went very easy on the spices.  A little of that Old Bay goes a long way.   

I let it cook on low for 2 hours, then high for 90 minutes.  I put a dollop of sour cream with some smoked paprika on the side, and it was absolutely delicious.  I can't wait to make this again.

9 comments:

  1. What an adventurous cooking challenge and hurray for the tasty results! Sounds like you got a keeper there, Doug. Take care, Kris in Ohio

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  2. Good job on eavesdropping a great meal!

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    1. Thanks DJan, I know this isn't exactly gourmet cooking, but for a single guy who can't really cook... :^)

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  3. I make a version of this! I think it is more of a Polish version. The spices are the same. I use sliced cabbage, carrots, onion and potatoes. It is an easy throw together meal though, and I always keep a couple of those links in my freezer. Do you like bean soup? That sausage makes a good pot of 16 bean soup.

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    1. Thanks Debby--well I'm not a big fan of bean soup but I do love cabbage, that does sound good. I'd love to try it :^)

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  4. To be honest, its simple ingredients, Sometimes the best meals come from random moments like that

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    1. Nicely said, thank you Asep. I hope you're doing well. 🙂

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  5. Sounds interesting.. we hate canned green beans so would add fresh instead

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